A lovely gift arrived from my friend Joanne. All wrapped carefully inside a cardboard box. I hung it on the tree as soon as I released it from the bubble wrap.
A camera!
I held the little fox to pose in front of it before we put him on the top of the tree. 
Here’s the Post-Gazette article by Patricia Sheridan that my friend sent the other morning. Last week V and I toured the Pittsburgh Magazine’s Ultimate House penthouse and two of the condos in the fully restored and renovated old furniture showroom and warehouse Empire on Liberty.
All proceeds were given to Children’s Hospital Free Care Fund.
Just today, I realized I bought a carpet in 1989 at the former Roth Carpet Showroom which is now the available first floor retail space.
An article from Pittsburgh Magazine about the Ultimate House renovation
When you get a request from your granddaughter for a knitted item, you try to oblige. Within reason of course. -I’m thinking “a hat, mittens, a scarf……”
“Could you make me a knitted cactus?” Anna asked.
Huh?
I didn’t know there was such a thing. Thanks to Pinterest spreading the word, succulents, knitted, crocheted and stitched are a trend.
Mine looks different from the pattern by Lucille Randall. (which is free on Ravelry)
Might need more stuffing. Also I need my friend Donna or FF Marlene to help crochet a better flower. I followed the directions but it seems knitting is my stronger skill for sure.
When I started. I used DPNs size one. 
When I was telling my knitting friend, I had a flashback to a knit cactus I saw a couple of years ago at Hill Country Weavers in Austin, Texas. We were in line to check out and there it sat. Never thought another thing about it until now and I’d taken a quick phone photo.
Thanks for the Dream in Color Handpainted yarn, Molly. AND for finding that skein of Kidsilk Haze in the Jelly color. Unbelievable.
But first- Who is working quality control at the candy heart message factory?
and Be My Valentine Gallery – Hearts around the house
Red Cupid photos courtesy of my friend Joanne (wood cut creations by Sue John’s husband)
Candy from my sister. Sweet!
Tray of raspeberry jam hearts at Colangelo’s bakery in the strip
And the one I brought home with me to devour!
At the end of the day my school neighbor, the librarian, brought me this fancy cupcake with multi-colored sprinkles AND a wet wipey for my hands after consuming it!
As I put it on my desk, a few sprinkles fell off and the little railroad man was nearby. Photographed with the Canon SX 170 point and shoot. Just for fun.
This post is also a nod to Big Appetites author and photographer from Seattle who inspires our class daily- Christopher Boffoli. If you don’t know his work, check it out when you have time.
You remember the Father/Son blog followers and dear friends who guest blogged the scenes from Central Park in Fall and Winter?
Here is what dad Jack wrote
“Joey’s office is near Rockefeller Center. He sent these pictures of the Christmas Tree as it arrived. He said that some branches are removed making it bare in spots. They reattach the original branches and add branches from other trees. Who would have known? Not me for sure. I was impressed by the scaffolding and all. It is different so I thought you would enjoy it. I will send the finished product if Joe sends it to me. “
Yard art. Lawn art. Home decor.
Some people really enjoy their collections. Sometimes the neighbors don’t.
I’ll return closer to Christmas and see if there are any additions to the ornaments.
I haven’t written a lot about the weather on the blog. Some blog readers live in a different hemisphere are enjoying summer temperatures and swimming. I heard from K that it got up to 44, even if Florida. Deb wrote that we’ve got ice on the rivers.
Storms, low temps, windchill? I know two people who had to get a new furnace.
Weather? You see it on the news. The computer. Experience it first hand. Shovel your driveway or your walks. Listen for two hour delays or school closures.
Tying to not feel down like the snowman, but hey, it’s WINTER!
Weatherman’s prediction is start at 4 AM and snow until 5 PM. Dress warmly.
My sister had 11 inches of snow in New York City. What are you experiencing?
I can’t believe it took me so long to start responding to the Weekly Photo Challenges. All those challenges unanswered.
This week is home. The WordPress Weekly Challenge allows me to go through some archived files and think about the theme.
What I’m drawn to. What caught my eye.
No shortage of photos to post for home this week.
When I drive into my driveway after work I feel I am truly home. What makes you feel at home?
The gallery option isn’t really cooperating for me today. (Ooops. I read in the article Are You Boring? Seven Tips for Knowing if You ‘re Boring Someone on the Happiness Project blog by Gretchen Rubin to never mention computer problems)
Columbus Ohio. About two miles from Mark and Erika’s house. Erika drove the kids to see the lights. I propped the camera on the window and was able to catch it but a tripod and cable release would have been useful. Must be a lot of work to take down all the lights and decorations. holiday
